The 56th Presidential Inauguration
Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Preliminary Information

The District of Columbia, along with rest of the nation, will be marking the inauguration of Barack Obama as president of the United States with various ceremonies and events throughout the city on and around Inauguration Day -- January 20, 2009.  Most of the National Capital Region, including The George Washington University, will be observing Inauguration Day, January 20, as a holiday.

NEW (1-8-2009): Road and Bridge Closures for Inauguration View Map

NEW (12-19-2008):

• Metrorail will operate rush hour service for 15 consecutive hours from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will stay open for two extra hours until 2 a.m.
• Peak fares will be charged all day on January 20.
• Expect large crowds as hundreds of thousands of people are expected to be in the nation's capital not only for Inauguration Day, but for the days preceding it as well.
• The U.S. Secret Service has deemed the Inauguration as a special national security event and due to security measures, the Archives-Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter stations on Metro's Green and Yellow Lines, will be closed all day on Inauguration Day, Tuesday, January 20.
• One of the entrances to the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange Lines will be closed. The Smithsonian station entrance on the National Mall will be closed. The Independence Ave SW entrance will remain open.

NEW (12-09-2008):

• Metro usage will be at the limit of their capability.  Many visitors will be using the system for the first time.  Purchase your farecards before the long weekend because the number of new purchasers will make the wait to get to a machine long and the machines could run out of cards.
• All escalators at Metro stations will be turned off because the size of the crowds will make their operation potentially dangerous.
• ATMs downtown will potentially run out of cash over the weekend.  Plan accordingly.
• The Foggy Bottom Campus east of 23rd street will be inside what is called the “Parade Dispersal Area”.  There will be no on street parking from mid-day Monday the 19th through Inauguration Day.  Busses will be parked on 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd Streets on both sides from Pennsylvania Ave. to Virginia Ave.  Bus parking on 21st will also extend to Constitution Ave.  Pennsylvania Ave. will be closed from 17th Street to Washington Circle and will also have busses parked on it.
• Constitution Ave. will be closed from 3rd Street to 18th Street (and possibly to 23rd Street).

The Inauguration and GW
As with other significant events at the National Mall, the Foggy Bottom Campus will more than likely see a high number of visitors near and around the university.

There will be a high level of security for the Presidential Inauguration. Be aware of road closures and detours, parking restrictions, temporary Metro station closures and bus service changes. (See links below for specific information and details.)

GW's Inaugural Ball is scheduled for the Omni Shoreham Hotel.  Click on the following link for additional information:  http://gwired.gwu.edu/inauguralball

ALL MEMBERS OF THE GW COMMUNITY ARE REMINDED TO CARRY THEIR GWORLD CARD AT ALL TIMES.

Vehicular and Parking Restrictions in Foggy Bottom
The Foggy Bottom Campus will be affected by parking and traffic (car and truck) restrictions established by the Metropolitan Police Department and the United States Secret Service.

Campus Advisories will be updated as information becomes available from emergency management and law enforcement partners.

ALL MEMBERS OF THE GW COMMUNITY ARE REMINDED TO CARRY THEIR GWORLD CARD AT ALL TIMES.

For More Information
Visit these sites for additional information relating to the Presidential Inauguration.

GW's Inaugural Ball Web Site
http://gwired.gwu.edu/inauguralball

GW Housing Guidance on Inauguration
http://living.gwu.edu/ressvcs/Inauguration/

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
http://inaugural.senate.gov/

District of Columbia’s 2009 Presidential Inauguration Website
http://inauguration.dc.gov/

Armed Forces Inaugural Committee
http://www.afic.northcom.mil/

DC Emergency Information Center
http://emergencycenter.dc.gov/eia/site/default.asp

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (METRO)
http://www.wmata.com/inauguration/

Visit Campus Advisories or the GW Information Line (202-994-5050) for continued updates.